Music guide

On May 23, local musician Pop Wagner was in a horseback riding accident and sustained several fractures of his pelvis. In order for the injury to heal properly, he will be unable to bear any weight at all on his right leg for at least six weeks. Wagner is using crutches to get around and can’t carry anything larger than a magazine.

While Wagner is still able to play music (sitting down), he has had to cancel some gigs. “It’s real problem,” said Wagner. “Working with crutches, you can’t carry anything. It’s all you can do to carry yourself.”

The injury is a financial burden not only due to the loss of income, but for the $10,000 deductible on his health insurance policy. To make ends meet during this time, friends and fellow musicians will gather at the Celtic Junction on Friday, July 3 — which also happens to be Pop’s 60th birthday.

Entertainers will includes Dáithí Sproule, Dakota Dave Hull, Anni Spring and Pop Wagner, Becky Thompson, Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson, the New Riverside Ramblers and friends, and the Roe Family Singers. In addition, Wagner’s recordings, Mohair cinches and guitar straps, and copies of the book West Bank Boogie by Cyn Collins — which includes a section about the Twin Cities cowboy — will be on sale, with proceeds going to Wagner.

Donations are of course encouraged at the benefit, and those cannot attend but wish to make a financial contribution may do so through the PayPal link at www.popwagner.com; or by sending a check — payable to “Gordon Wagner” with “Account #4200012500” in the memo field — directly to:

On Thursday, July 2, why not kick off your Fourth of July weekend a little bit early with the inauguration of the Cedar Cultural Center’s “Cedar Outdoors” concerts? The weekly series of music on the patio is free and open to all ages every Thursday, July2–Aug. 27. (Those who are “of-age” can partake of a different beer special each week from our fantastic local beer makers.)
The first of the local and regional acts is the 7-piece band The Poor Nobody’s.
Patio opens at 6 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. (See other Cedar shows below in calendar.)

McPhail Center for Music
501 S. Second St.
612-321-0100
June 30–July 10
Minnesota Piano e-competition
Various performances, locations and times; see “schedule of events“http://www.piano-e-competition.com/ecompetition/schedule.asp. All events are free and open to the public.